Finland should remain militarily neutral because it helps ensure security in the Baltic Sea region, Prime Minister Juha Sipila said in an interview ahead of celebrations of the country's 100 years of independence.
The EU member state was part of the Russian Empire and won independence during the 1917 Russian revolution but it nearly lost it fighting the Soviet Union in World War Two.
The centre-right government retains the option of seeking NATO membership but remaining non-aligned and increasing defence cooperation with Sweden and the EU was Finland's way, Sipila said. "At the moment, to have Finland and Sweden forming this militarily non-aligned zone, I think that increases the security and stability in the Baltic Sea region ... I see no reason to change this," Sipila said.
Finland has stepped up military cooperation with Sweden and forged closer ties with NATO because it is concerned about Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014 and heightened East-West tensions in the Baltic Sea.However, the government has opted to stay out of NATO in line with its tradition of avoiding confrontation with Russia.
A report commissioned by the government said last year that if Finland joined NATO it would lead to a crisis with Russia, which is also a major trade partner for Finland.
Moscow has hinted that it could move troops closer to the Finnish-Russian border if Finland joins NATO."It is clear that Finland is part of the West and the western community. That is our place," Sipila said."We want to be ... at the core of the European Union, influencing EU's future.
But the main difference between us and the majority of EU states is our military non-lignment."Polls show that only 22 percent of Finns support NATOmembership, while 62 percent are opposed. Sipila, who leads Finland's Centre party, said any move to join would need public approval via a referendum.
Finance Minister Petteri Orpo from Finland's poll-eading National Coalition party told the media last week he believed that joining NATO would improve Finland's security.
On December 6th Finland will celebrate 100 years of independence. The country will be celebrating democracy, equality and freedom of speech with much gusto. Theme for the centenary year is 'Together'. And this is the reason, 100 countries across the world will be taking part in Finland's 100th year of independence. The centenary has been celebrated in Finland through the year. It was on December 6th 1917, that Finland became free from the rule of Sweden.
“The story of the 100-year-old Finland is unique and deserves a special celebration. The centenary of independence is the most significant anniversary of our generation. This epic year has been built in a unique and open way, together with the whole of society, Finns and friends of Finland, in more than 100 countries,” says Pekka Timonen, General Secretary of the Centenary of Finland’s Independence, Prime Minister’s Office.
The 100th independence day will be celebrated with a mixture of traditional as well as new festivities. Flags will fly for two days and important monuments through the country like Saana in Lapland will be illuminated with blue and white lights.
A multicultural Independence Day celebration will take place at Finlandia Hall in Helsinki, with First Lady Jenni Haukio acting as the honorary guardian of the festivities.
Various events like drinking birthday coffee, which will take place in the afternoon of December 5 and singing Finnish songs at karaoke restaurants will mark the day.
Art exhibits, music concerts, celebrating the ice hockey heritage and photo exhibits by Finnish photographers have alreay been taking place through the year to mark the ocassions.
